Here are two charts for the full Moon on 12 December 2008, 4:38 PM (GMT).

• Full moon chart based on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
• Full Moon in relation to U.S. natal chart

What selected astrologers have to say...
Taking a look at what other astrologers have to say about this full Moon:

Jeff Jawer at stariq.com in his full Moon report:

Nervous systems are pulled taut with excitement and over-stimulation during this jittery Gemini Full Moon. The instability of this lunation is increased by tense squares from restless Uranus and restrictive Saturn. The complexity of this Grand Square is spiked by macho Mars' conjunction to the Sun, opposition to the Moon and squares to Uranus and Saturn. The world may feel like it's off-kilter under these destabilizing conditions. Rapid shifts of mood from manic to depressive and hyper to hopeless can leave us dizzy and disoriented. Yet adventurous individuals may ride these wild waves to innovation and originality to reshape the future.

As is usual, Neith at realAstrologers.com gives us a thorough and thoughtful delineation of this full Moon. She begins by saying:

The chart for the Full Moon on December 12 shows an incredible amount of energy and force contained at this moment in time by a grand cross formed in mutable signs with the Sun in Sagittarius, Moon in Gemini, Saturn in Virgo, and Uranus in Pisces, all around 21 degrees.

The key is to be aware that this is all potential energy, not actual, because we are dealing with a stable structure in the grand cross. Unlike a T-square, where the planet at the apex acts as the focal point and shows us the path of least resistance, a grand cross offers no clear outlet but forces consideration of all the avenues on each point. So if you feel like pressure is building and nothing seems to be happening, this is why. Having Mars conjunct the Sun in Sagittarius really does not help, because Sagittarius just naturally loves to be moving and Mars-Sun conjunctions are power generators plus.

However, the Moon in Gemini is always happy to discuss options, Saturn in Virgo is great for making sure all the bases are covered, and Uranus in Pisces is wonderful for thinking outside the box. Overall, this Full Moon offers an opportunity to put together a really great plan, or plans, as the case may be. Another factor to keep in mind is that Saturn is at a virtual standstill for most of December, preparing to station direct on December 31, and this is also putting a damper on initiating action despite the fact no planets are retrograde now. Yes, we may all be extremely frustrated for awhile, so use extra care not to take this out on your nearest and dearest.

As an indicator of things to come, Pluto conjoins Mercury in Capricorn in this chart, supporting all forms of research and digging deeply within to ferret out underlying issues in our lives. This conjunction is excellent for coming up with practical solutions and is also great for keeping us all grounded in reality, something we need help with right now. The waning trine of Jupiter in Capricorn to Saturn in Virgo can offer a modicum of support, but this effect is definitely fading. ...

This is the last full Moon of the year before the winter solstice:

The Moon brightens the evening sky this week as she waxes to a bright Full Moon, which occurs on the 12th at 11:37 am Eastern Standard Time. December's Full Moon is popularly called the Moon Before Yule or the Long Night Moon. This particular Full Moon occurs about five hours before the closest lunar perigee of the year, and with Luna nice and high between the stars of Taurus and Gemini she'll throw lots light on the wintry landscape. Look for Luna close to the Pleiades star cluster on the evening of the 10th. If you're up and about in the early morning hours of the 11th, or if you live on the west coast or in Hawai'i, you can watch the Moon slowly cover up a number of the cluster's brighter stars. (U.S Naval Observatory)

The solstice itself marks:

The two points in the ecliptic at which the sun is farthest from the equator, north or south; so called because the sun halts and turns back on its northerly or southerly course. These points are in the first degree of Cancer and Capricorn respectively -- the summer and winter solstices; south of the equator the summer solstice
occurs when the sun is south of the equator and in Capricorn, and the winter solstice when the sun is north of the equator and in Cancer; north of the equator the summer solstice occurs when the sun is north of the equator and in Cancer, and the winter solstice when the sun is south of the equator and in Capricorn. The solstitial points, like the equinoctial points, retrograde and complete their circle round the ecliptic in a precessional year of 25,920 years.

The solstices and equinoxes mark the four corners of the esoteric year, each associated with particular psychospiritual events in the initiation cycle. The winter solstice is associated with the birth of the inner Christ or Buddha; the summer solstice with the great renunciation of personal progress made by those of the hierarchy of compassion. (Theosophy Dictionary on Solstice)

My take..
   »on the full Moon

Ten planets, asteroids and the Sun are all contained in a square between Mars in Sagittarius and Uranus in Pisces. Opposing this are Saturn with Ceres in Virgo square the Moon with Pallas Athena in Gemini. If you stand back, you can visualize an unevenly weighted sign of eternity (∞).

Only two bodies are not contained in this construct, both of them asteroids and both retrograde:

• Vesta, currently backing out of Aries, and square Jupiter in Capricorn; and
• Pallas Athena in Gemini, square Ceres in Virgo and widely trine Chiron in Aquarius.

It looks to me like Athena represents the auto industry here. There's a lot of talk going on and the industry has received its wakeup-call with respect to innovation, but the game ain't over yet. I'm thinking that Ceres in Virgo represents the retirees encumbering the industry; they're pretty well settled in and feeling pretty secure.

Ceres in Virgo is pretty much in her own sign. Stepping back to take a longer look at Ceres and what meaning she may have, I turn to this excerpt from an article titled "Ceres and the Urge to Belong" by Kelly Lee Phipps:

After months of utilizing her [Ceres] with themes of fertility, abundance, and nourishment, I found that she resembled Venus in her Taurus guise, but wiser and more profound. She didn't just show me the money, she showed me what people valued, and where their values had been compromised. I began calling her the goddess of being and belonging. She wanted to express how you could be more natural by sign, and where you could cultivate a reverence for nature and silence by house. Whatever she touched by aspect, she brought up issues of self-esteem, worthiness, values. She wanted to know if you were present, if you belonged, or if you felt abandoned. She pointed out how you were nourished and nurtured as a child leading to your sense of self-worth.

Don't get me wrong, this goddess of nature had plenty to do with resources. She stocked natural resources in whatever house she occupied. But what really concerned her was inner resources. She knew the values we lived reflected the values we held in our hearts. So I would begin by saying she blessed you with abundance in the house she occupied and work my way toward nature reverence and self-worth.

His is an interesting take.

   »on the full Moon as it relates to the U.S. natal chart

In the U.S. chart Ceres stocks the 10th house with an abundance of natural resources, perhaps a reference to the Chief Executive Elect.

The transiting Moon is within a few minutes of being exactly conjunct natal Mars in the 8th house, highlighting and activating discussion of the national income, stock market and interest rates. Meanwhile in the opposing house -- the 2nd -- Mercury, the ruler of Gemini, is exactly conjunct Pluto, the natural ruler of the 8th; and both are entering Sagittarius. Looks to me like a long journey toward living the values and ideals we preach is just beginning. Can you walk the walk? Can I?

Journal entry dated 9 December 2008
Category: Whatis Aquarian, Astrology